Usually closed to visitors after nightfall, the majestic Mehrangarh Fort perched 400 metres closer to the skyline of Jodhpur, will throw open its doors for five nights for Jodhpur RIFF 2009, an annual music festival. This year, the festival will see an unconventional yet interesting combination of Rajasthani folk music, flamenco, reggae and Indian classical performances by an array of Indian and international artistes. The festival was in the news two years ago when Mick Jagger, the lead vocalist of Rolling Stones agreed to become their international patron.

This year, the festival opens with a city concert on October 1 with some enthusiasm since the 2009 edition of the festival comes after a two year gap. (The festival was discontinued after a stampede at the local Chamunda Devi temple which resulted in the deaths of more than 250 people.) The festival will close with a devotional musical recital at dawn on October 5. “The festival is more an opportunity for talented Rajasthani artistes to showcase their work through collaborations. This time the focus will be on folk artistes while incorporating music from around the globe,” says Divya Bhatia, Festival Director of Jodhpur RIFF.

As many as 35 minstrels of the Langa community of Barmer will be a part of the festival apart from the Manganiyars who will play more uncommon instruments like the surmaiya and sarangi. Other highlights of the festival include a flamenco performance from Spain apart from a dance performance by Denise Belfon from Trinidad titled “Chutney Soca” which is going to be a fusion of Calypso and Soca (traditional island dance and music) and Bhojpuri folk and percussion beats from Rajasthan. While ace drummer Sivamani will explore fusion sounds with Rajasthani artistes on the Nagada, Khartal and Morchang, this time there has been a surprising inclusion of playback singer Rekha Bhardwaj (singer of Genda Phool from Delhi 6). “We’re trying not to involve Bollywood music into RIFF, but the range of her vocals and texture is stunningly folksy,” adds Bhatia. She will sing with the local Rajasthani maand singers Rehana Mirza and Bhanwari Devi. Swaratma, a band from Bangalore will also perform while the festival will pay a tribute to the legacy of European folk artistes with a concert titled ‘Homecoming’.

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